The private sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) fund initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has so far yielded N21.58 billion.
CBN’s director of corporate communications, Mr. Isaac Okoroafor who issued a statement on behalf of CACOVID said yesterday that the fund which stood at N19.488 billion as of Friday, April 3 grew to N21.588 billion following fresh donations from some individuals and organisations.
He said the amount excluded the N2.4 billion pledges by three individuals and organisations yet to be redeemed.
They are Lafarge Plc and MTN Nigeria, that pledged N1 billion each and John Coumantatous (Flour Mills Nigeria Plc), who pledged N400 million.
He also said the initial list of 37 donors, which grew to 47 as at last Friday, was 50 as of yesterday (excluding those yet to redeem their pledges).
Some of the donors on the latest list included Chief Mike Adenuga, Raj Gupta of African Steel Mills Nigeria Ltd., Modupe and Folorunsho Alakija of Famfa Oil Limited and the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), all donating N1 billion each to the relief fund.
Okoroafor, while urging more Nigerians and corporate bodies to contribute to the fund, charged Nigerians to do their part in checking any further spread of the virus in Nigeria.
“The objective of CACOVID is to mobilise private sector leadership and private sector resources; increase general public awareness, education, and buy-in and provide direct support to private and public healthcare ability to respond to the crisis as well as support the federal government’s efforts,” he added.
The coalition expressed appreciation to the donors for their contributions to the relief fund.
The CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, had said CACOVID was targeting N120 billion for the acquisition of healthcare facilities and promote advocacy about the virus across the country, among others.
